NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois women's and men's track and field teams completed an action-packed weekend as a group of Illini competed at the Stanford Invitational and Mike Fanelli Track Classic in California on Friday (April 1), while the other majority saw action at the Redbird Invite in Normal, Ill., on Saturday (April 2).
"It was a challenging day with the weather but I'm pleased with the way we responded," said head coach Mike Turk. "The efforts were good, we are progressing along well and I feel good about what we can do in the coming weeks."
Redshirt-senior Rebecca Craddock kicked the weekend off in historic fashion, running the second fastest 5000m in program history, as well as a personal record, with a time of 16:11.64 at the Stanford Invitational, while senior Emma Milburn also ran a personal-best 5000m race herself, registering a time of 16:26.56.
The Illini found more success at the Redbird Invite as junior Tyler Sudduth was crowned champion in men's shot put with a 18.78m toss and freshman Tori Thomas finished first in the women's pole vault with a personal best mark of 4.15m. Freshman Collin Kao took home a second-place finish in the men's pole vault with a mark of 4.75m, while redshirt-junior Brian Keyes also placed second in the men's discus throw with a mark of 50.28m. Graduate student Kristin Higgins finished third in the women's high jump with a mark of 1.70m., with senior Reed Marshall also placed third in the men's triple jump with a season-best mark of 14.35m.
In the 400m hurdles, senior Jaden Jackson won the men' event in a time of 54.61, while classmate Kionnah Weaver registered a runner-up finish with a time of 1:05.36. Also registering a runner-up finish was junior Eddie Lennon with a time of 3:55.25 in the men's 1500m. Freshman CJ Shoaf leaped into the finals of the 110m hurdles, running a 14.90 in the prelims, and finishing third overall in the finals with a time of 15.00.
Illinois Event Champions
Men's Shot Put: Tyler Sudduth // 18.78m
Women's Pole Vault: Tori Thomas // 4.15m
Men's 400m Hurdles: Jaden Jackson // 54.61
Personal Bests
Women's 5000m (Stanford Invitational)
Rebecca Craddock » 16:11.64
Emma Milburn » 16:26.56
Women's Pole Vault (Redbird Invite)
Tori Thomas » 4.15m
Up Next
Illinois stays home next week, hosting the Illini Classic at Demirjian Park on April 8-9.
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